Troubleshooting wireless mic problem at DVinfo.net

Pete Cofrancesco · November 12th, 2004, 01:59 PM

I just bought audio technica u100 wireless mic from b&h and it only works intermittenly, so i just wanted to double check with you guys that i'm not doing something wrong before i send it back for a replacement.

When i pull out battery and put it back in sometimes it stops working.

Note:
- both are set to the same channel
- I have tried different channels
- body pack and receiver are next to each other
- new freshly rechargeable batteries are being used ( i even did a voltage test to insure they are ok)
- the polarity is correct
- battery compartment lid is properly closed so battery is firmly in place.

Bruce S. Yarock · November 12th, 2004, 05:04 PM

Did you try a different channel?
Bruce S, yarock

Mike Rehmus · November 12th, 2004, 09:30 PM

Sometimes rechargables have too low a voltage. Try a set of Alkalines and see what happens.

Jay Massengill · November 12th, 2004, 10:49 PM

Did you test your rechargeable batteries under a load or just check the voltage directly? Definitely try the alkalines as suggested.
Some other things to check:
Your local TV and DTV frequencies and how they may interfere with your frequencies.
You need to keep the transmitter at least 10 feet away from the receiver.
Sometimes the units are picky about which order they are turned on and won't immediately recognize the transmitted signal until they are cycled on and off again. The same is true with many wireless models regarding the frequency. They have to be turned off, adjusted, then turned back on again to change to the new frequency.
Is the squelch adjusted properly?
What do the dropouts sound like? It's possible that it's a problem with the mic element or cable and not the transmitter or receiver.
Are there other wireless mics or devices in operation nearby?

Pete Cofrancesco · November 13th, 2004, 10:06 PM

mike: i checked the battery voltage but not under load. how do you do that? I'm going to get an alkeline and try your other suggestions because i dont want to send it back. any particular channel that works best. oh i'm testing at home so it could be my wireless mouse, tv, or cordless phone (although when it doesn't work it doesn't matter what room im in). Now that i think of it, its probably not the battery because when i open and close the battery compartment, the body pack power always works, it just sometimes doesn't communicate with the receiver.

thx for the suggestions

pete

David Ennis · November 14th, 2004, 07:47 PM

I have a universal battery condition checker from Radio Shack. About $10 as I recall.

Ivan Bernstein · November 18th, 2004, 12:11 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Pete Cofran : I just bought audio technica u100 wireless mic from b&h and it only works intermittenly, so i just wanted to double check with you guys that i'm not doing something wrong before i send it back for a replacement. -->>>

If you've tried hard to correct the problem, maybe it's just a faulty unit. A decent wireless product is costly, and from my experience with Audio-Technica wireless products, they're not really the most dependable. Get it exchanged, and if the replacement is flaky, EBay it and save up for something greater.

Pete Cofrancesco · November 18th, 2004, 10:00 AM

After getting an alkeline battery it had the same problem so i returned it.

Ty Ford · November 20th, 2004, 11:26 AM

Sorry if this double posts, but the first one didn't seem to take.

Could the problem be in the U100 receiver?

I've had two situations with the U 100 receivers.

Some batteries are shorter than others. I use a small piece of leather, putting it on top of the batteries (between the batteries and door) to snug the batteries in.

Some batteries are slightly too long. They have puffed up tops, where the terminals are. In that situation, because the receiver takes two batteries, the swollen battery keeps the regular one from making contact.

BTW, the wireless repair dept at AT is very good and fast.

Regards,

Ty Ford

November 12th, 2004, 01:59 PM	#1
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,005	Troubleshooting wireless mic problem I just bought audio technica u100 wireless mic from b&h and it only works intermittenly, so i just wanted to double check with you guys that i'm not doing something wrong before i send it back for a replacement. When i pull out battery and put it back in sometimes it stops working. Note: - both are set to the same channel - I have tried different channels - body pack and receiver are next to each other - new freshly rechargeable batteries are being used ( i even did a voltage test to insure they are ok) - the polarity is correct - battery compartment lid is properly closed so battery is firmly in place.

November 12th, 2004, 09:30 PM	#3
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Sometimes rechargables have too low a voltage. Try a set of Alkalines and see what happens. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

November 14th, 2004, 07:47 PM	#6
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	I have a universal battery condition checker from Radio Shack. About $10 as I recall. __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

November 18th, 2004, 12:11 AM	#7
Ivan Bernstein New Boot Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Palos Hills, Illinois Posts: 6	Re: Troubleshooting wireless mic problem <<<-- Originally posted by Pete Cofran : I just bought audio technica u100 wireless mic from b&h and it only works intermittenly, so i just wanted to double check with you guys that i'm not doing something wrong before i send it back for a replacement. -->>> If you've tried hard to correct the problem, maybe it's just a faulty unit. A decent wireless product is costly, and from my experience with Audio-Technica wireless products, they're not really the most dependable. Get it exchanged, and if the replacement is flaky, EBay it and save up for something greater.

November 20th, 2004, 11:26 AM	#9
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	Sorry if this double posts, but the first one didn't seem to take. Could the problem be in the U100 receiver? I've had two situations with the U 100 receivers. Some batteries are shorter than others. I use a small piece of leather, putting it on top of the batteries (between the batteries and door) to snug the batteries in. Some batteries are slightly too long. They have puffed up tops, where the terminals are. In that situation, because the receiver takes two batteries, the swollen battery keeps the regular one from making contact. BTW, the wireless repair dept at AT is very good and fast. Regards, Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

November 12th, 2004, 05:04 PM	#2
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Did you try a different channel? Bruce S, yarock

November 12th, 2004, 10:49 PM	#4
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Did you test your rechargeable batteries under a load or just check the voltage directly? Definitely try the alkalines as suggested. Some other things to check: Your local TV and DTV frequencies and how they may interfere with your frequencies. You need to keep the transmitter at least 10 feet away from the receiver. Sometimes the units are picky about which order they are turned on and won't immediately recognize the transmitted signal until they are cycled on and off again. The same is true with many wireless models regarding the frequency. They have to be turned off, adjusted, then turned back on again to change to the new frequency. Is the squelch adjusted properly? What do the dropouts sound like? It's possible that it's a problem with the mic element or cable and not the transmitter or receiver. Are there other wireless mics or devices in operation nearby?

November 13th, 2004, 10:06 PM	#5
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,005	mike: i checked the battery voltage but not under load. how do you do that? I'm going to get an alkeline and try your other suggestions because i dont want to send it back. any particular channel that works best. oh i'm testing at home so it could be my wireless mouse, tv, or cordless phone (although when it doesn't work it doesn't matter what room im in). Now that i think of it, its probably not the battery because when i open and close the battery compartment, the body pack power always works, it just sometimes doesn't communicate with the receiver. thx for the suggestions pete

November 18th, 2004, 10:00 AM	#8
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,005	After getting an alkeline battery it had the same problem so i returned it.